Segmented Ventilation Curtain Layout for Precise Moist Airflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large and complex curtain support mechanisms in roll-up systems for agricultural structures make it difficult to precisely control airflow, reducing the open portion of the curtain wall and compromising animal comfort, especially at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A compact support/control mechanism with vertically displaced curtain sections and water curtains to control moist airflow, allowing for precise control of airflow and humidity while minimizing the width of the drive mechanism, enabling independent operation of curtain sections and use of manual or motor-driven operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the length and weight of curtain sections are increased to accommodate larger building structures, then the curtain system can cover larger areas, but the support and drive mechanisms increase in size and complexity making it more difficult to precisely control the extent to which curtain sections are open or closed
Solution Approach 1:
The curtain system is divided into multiple independently controllable sections (first upper, first intermediate, first lower, second upper, second intermediate, and second lower curtain sections). Each section can be positioned independently by its own support and drive mechanism, allowing precise control of airflow through the building while managing the complexity of controlling larger curtain areas.
2Area of stationary object
If the length and weight of curtain sections are increased to accommodate larger building structures, then the curtain system can cover larger areas, but the number of support/control mechanisms increases reducing the open portion of the curtain wall through which air flows
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the curtain into multiple independently controllable sections, the system can create varied opening patterns that maximize airflow paths. The independent control of each section allows optimization of the open portions while still covering large building areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The curtain sections are arranged in vertical spaced alignment, utilizing the vertical dimension to create multiple levels of control. This vertical arrangement allows airflow to pass through horizontal gaps between sections while the sections themselves provide weather protection, effectively using three-dimensional space to resolve the contradiction between coverage area and airflow rate.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple vertically spaced roll-up curtain sections are used to control airflow, then airflow control precision is improved, but the width of the curtain roll-up drive and support mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support and drive mechanisms for multiple curtain sections are combined into a single integrated structure. The vertical guide couples multiple rotary drive and trolley combinations, allowing them to operate in coordination while sharing common structural support, thereby reducing the overall width of the drive mechanism while maintaining precise independent control of each curtain section.
4Manufacturing precision
If vertically spaced roll-up curtain sections are used to control airflow, then airflow control precision is improved, but the size and complexity of the support mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple support and drive mechanisms are merged into a single integrated structure with common vertical guides and coupled trolley combinations. This integration reduces the overall complexity compared to having completely separate mechanisms for each curtain section, while still enabling precise independent control through the coupled operation of the trolleys.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides improved cooling and comfort for animals by precisely controlling airflow and humidity, preventing condensation and increasing airflow through the structure, while reducing the size and complexity of the support mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
water is introduced in the airflow for cooling the space
Data Source
AI summary
Plural vertically aligned curtain sections form a first wall of a structure and are each coupled to a respective manual or powered rotary drive by means of a respective elongated, roll-up rod disposed in a lower hem, and extending the length, of the curtain section. The rotary drives are attached to horizontally spaced, vertical tracks for limiting the vertical drives, the roll-up rods and each curtain's lower hem to vertical motion in rolling up and unrolling the curtain sections. A water curtain maintained in a moist condition is disposed adjacent the inner surfaces of the curtain sections, with fans disposed on a second opposed wall of the structure for drawing air through the space occupied by the curtain sections for providing moist airflow through the structure's interior. Moist airflow and cooling are precisely controlled by controlling the gap between a pair of adjacent vertically spaced curtain sections.